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The Munich Story

Beer rules!

When you think of Munich, you inevitably think of beer. For many travellers it is also the only thing they can remember from their stay in Munich. How close the connection between beer, society and even the state actually is, is truly unique. A few details.

One of the most sensitive issues in Bavaria has always been the price of beer. In 1844, King Ludwig increased the price of beer by 1 pfennig. This resulted in the first major popular uprising in the royal capital. For four days, tens of thousands of citizens stormed the breweries, vandalised and occupied the royal palace. The king finally had to give in and reduce the price of beer. As an aside: one week previously the price of bread had also been increased, but this price increase was accepted by the public.

Today, the price of beer increases every year. In the free market, these things get through more easily. But if it does unexpectedly lead to an uprising, the Free State of Bavaria can fall back on economic measures in an emergency.

The public Hofbräuhaus in Munich is a state-owned operation of the Free State of Bavaria. The Hofbräuhaus as a franchisor, pursues the aim of establishing the Hofbräuhaus all over the world. So the Free State of Bavaria indirectly operates beer venues in England, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, China, Korea, Japan and the US. Imperialism of a different kind.

This type of shareholding is common in financial institutions and insurance companies, as well as in the construction and transport industry, or in health services. We can assume, that in Bavaria, beer is just as important as a functioning healthcare system, a functioning road and transport network or the solvency of the state.

As an introduction to bavarian culture we recommend to order a large beer in our womBar at wombat’s Munich.